Cars lined the alleys and streets near New Chicago City Hall Saturday as residents heard about a free drive-thru vaccine and resource clinic hosted by the Hobart Humane Society and PetIQ.
“There are 200,000 people living north of (Interstate 80/94) and only two veterinary clinics,” said Jennifer Webber, executive director of the Hobart Humane Society. “This is so needed.”
PetIQ is a company that provides low-cost vaccine clinics in many locations, but this particular incident was a unique situation caused by a 13-year-old animal lover.
“This exciting partnership was made possible after PetIQ received a very warm letter from Calum Mick, a student at Union Township Middle School,” said Kara Schafer, Vice President of Corporate Communications at Pet IQ.
“I really love animals so I wrote to them asking if they could help,” Mick said.
Mick's UTMS seventh grade teacher, Mallori Lucas, heeded the call and volunteered at the event, gathering her class and distributing supplies to participants.
“This class is a special group of students,” Lucas said. “I'm so proud of them.”
Lucas has a program where students learn basic writing and real-life skills through experience.
Her students learn about nonprofit organizations and are challenged to write letters to businesses, organizations, and elected officials across the country to advocate for their organizations and secure important donations.
“This is a project that is dear to our hearts and teaches us the importance of developing community service from an early age,” Lucas said.
As a result of Mick's letter, a community-wide event was held Saturday that donated $15,000 to HSH and the New Chicago pet family community, offsetting significant operating costs in 2024.
“We were thrilled to hear the news that donations to pet shelters and full sponsorship of free vaccine clinics would be available to the community,” Weber said. “The Humane Society of Hobart is on a mission to build and strengthen pet families, and this donation from Pet IQ will continue our community engagement, improve access to pet resources and services, and help support the homeless. is essential to saving the lives of pets.”
At this free event, pets received key vaccinations, including rabies and microchip, and went home with free preventive medication, food, and a goodie bag to keep them happy and healthy.
“I can’t thank Callum, the students at UTMS and Pet IQ enough,” Weber said.
Several Pet IQ events are planned in northwest Indiana in the coming months. For more information and to register for veterinary services, please visit petiq.com.
Deena Laurie Dixon is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
